THE arrival of spring prompts many people to cease putting out food for their garden birds.

THE arrival of spring prompts many people to cease putting out food for their garden birds.

This happens because most people still think that garden birds only need help during the difficult winter months - but birds can benefit from the provision of supplementary food all year round.

The British Trust for Ornithology is urging people to provide food throughout the year.

"Don't stop feeding!" is the rallying call from Mike Toms, Garden BirdWatch organiser for the BTO. Every year thousands of people pack their bird feeders away at the end of the winter in the belief that they have helped the birds through the most difficult part of the year. However, many of the birds using our gardens throughout the spring and summer still find it difficult to find enough food to meet their needs. In such circumstances, the year-round provision of suitable foods can help birds to have a successful breeding season.

As well as catering for the needs of their growing chicks, adult birds have to find enough food for themselves, something that is especially important for female birds that produce the eggs in the first place.

Another benefit of feeding birds throughout the year is that you are likely to increase the range and number of birds visiting your garden

The BTO has put together a free information sheet giving important advice on what to feed. This can be obtained by writing to GBW Factsheet, Freepost, Norfolk, IP24 2BR or by calling 01842 750 050.